Leo Waterston, Founder and President of Waterston Coaching and Consulting
At the June edition of BioConnects New England’s monthly Workforce Development Roundtable, Leo Waterston, Founder and President of Waterston Coaching and Consulting, made the case for prioritizing non-technical, or as he prefers to call them, professional skills, in today’s life sciences workforce.
“Nothing soft or easy about these skills,” Waterston quipped, challenging the long-standing use of the term “soft skills.” Instead, he offered a comprehensive framework that includes emotional intelligence, adaptability, conflict resolution, and effective communication—abilities that are increasingly seen as essential for both career advancement and company culture.
Drawing on his experience in healthcare, life sciences, and executive coaching, Waterston emphasized the importance of integrating these skills into every stage of workforce development, particularly as AI and automation transform technical roles. While technical expertise opens doors, he said, people skills keep them open and lead to leadership.
Waterston illustrated how critical these capabilities become during transitions, such as when a bench scientist becomes a team leader. “Hiring, performance reviews, managing conflict—none of this is covered in a typical PhD program,” he noted. “Yet, these are the moments that define someone’s ability to lead effectively.”
He also encouraged organizations to avoid forcing technical employees into management simply for the sake of career advancement. Instead, companies should create alternative growth pathways for individual contributors, enabling talent to rise without compromising their core strengths and professional goals.
Programs across New England are already incorporating these professional skills into their training models. From Rhode Island Bio’s biotech bootcamps to the workplace readiness curriculum in the Maine Career Catalyst program, organizations are finding success by pairing lab and other technical training with communication, collaboration, and accountability workshops.
Waterston’s approach is rooted in empowerment, urging professionals to assess their values, cultivate curiosity, and build resilience, especially in high-pressure or toxic environments. “You can learn any piece of equipment,” he emphasized. “But are you enjoyable to work with? That’s what makes you stand out.”
His parting message to workforce leaders: embed emotional intelligence, mentorship, and DEI considerations into the very structure of your training and hiring models. “Professional skills are no longer optional in this job market. They’re essential.”
